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  4. El Centro Border Patrol Nabs Multiple Drug Loads Throughout the Weekend

El Centro Border Patrol Nabs Multiple Drug Loads Throughout the Weekend

Release Date
Mon, 10/26/2020

El Centro, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized multiple narcotic loads throughout the weekend.

The first incident occurred Friday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., when a man driving a blue Chevrolet Blazer approached the Highway 111 checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, agents discovered packages inside the oil pan of the vehicle. The substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl when tested with a narcotics test kit. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing. 

The total weight of the fentanyl was approximately 13.8 pounds with an estimated value of $200,320. 

El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 41-year-old U.S. citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The second incident occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m., when a man driving a white Chevrolet Traverse approached the Highway S2 checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, agents discovered several small packages inside the vehicle. The contents of the packages were 414 grams of marijuana, 580 grams of psilocybin, 18 grams of MDMA and 16 doses of LSD. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing. 

The total estimated value of the narcotics was $6,410.

El Centro Sector turned over the driver a 47-year-old U.S. citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The third incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 12:09 a.m., near the intersection of Heber Avenue and First Street. Agents working in the Calexico downtown area found three electrical-tape wrapped packages lying on the ground.

The seized packages yielded a positive result for the characteristics of methamphetamine when tested with a narcotics test kit.  The total weight of the methamphetamine discovered was approximately 3.2 pounds with an estimated value of $6,950.

The agents seized and transported the packages back to the Calexico Border Patrol Station for further processing.

El Centro Sector turned over the narcotic packages to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The fourth incident occurred Saturday at approximately 10:26 p.m., when two men in a blue Chevrolet Blazer approached the Highway S2 checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, agents discovered several small packages inside the vehicle. The contents of the packages were 3 grams of marijuana, 2.6 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of psilocybin, 2 pills of MDMA and a trace amount of LSD. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing. 

The total estimated value of the narcotics was $273.

El Centro Sector turned over the two men, the vehicle and the narcotics to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021